Hudson Park Board: No hunting allowed

by Laura Freeman | Reporter Published: December 3, 2012 3:02 PM

Hudson -- Hunters will not be allowed to hunt deer on any city park land this season, but Council may revisit the issue next year.

Council President David Basil said he has received inquiries about bow hunting, especially on the former Youth Development Center property on Hines Hill Road.

However, city officials, expressing concerns about safety, nixed the idea.

The park board Nov. 19 agreed to continue the city policy of not allowing any hunting on park property.

City Council members say they won't argue.

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Park board members cited safety issues, because property perimeters could not be secured, and residents could protest the use of public lands.

City employees also conduct security checks on the buildings and grounds, and the city conducts property tours to potential users at the YDC property, according to city officials. Safety forces use the building and grounds for training exercises.

The property is next to the city's waste water facility, where employees and contractors walk around on the neighboring property, according to city officials. In addition, contract engineering personnel are on the property at unscheduled and unannounced times, according to city officials.

Basil said the deer hunting season is half over (it runs from Sept. 29 to Feb. 3, 2013), but Council could look at the proposal next year.